Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.
Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/170046
A THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY // VOICE OF THE BADGERS Expect a hot time in the desert on Saturday 18 fter two games, fans still might be wondering how good this Badgers football team can be in 2013. They have outscored their opponents 93-0, but players and fans alike know that business picks up this Saturday in the desert. What we do know is this group has remained true to what every coach preaches ― prepare to win the next game. Do not look ahead. Going into last week's matchup with Tennessee Tech, a popular topic centered on what FCS teams did to several FBS programs. Not only did the smaller schools get a nice check for playing in big stadiums, they also won the games. Senior safety Dez Southward was very aware of what had happened, and he and his team had no intention of being added to the list. "I respect every single opponent," said Southward. He and his mates made that clear on the game's first play from scrimmage when cornerback Darius Hillary forced a Golden Eagles fumble and Southward scooped it up, giving the Badgers an early opportunity to score. They did, and the home team never looked back. After the game, another popular question focused on adversity, and the fact that this year's Badgers have not faced anything resembling it through eight quarters. True enough, but keep in mind while this squad is young in spots, it is veteran in many other areas. The older players have faced their fair share of bumps. From heart breaking losses to multiple coaching // VARSITY September 12, 2013 changes, the upperclassmen know what it is like to hit a little turbulence. As for this week's game at Arizona State, Badgers coach Gary Andersen suggested that both teams will be excited. It would be difficult to argue with that statement. In their opener last Thursday, the Sun Devils rolled through Sacramento State 55-0. Going back to the end of last season, ASU has outscored its last four opponents 204-69. Yet, while both teams have put up impressive numbers, they know Saturday night is one of those big-boy games that can give everyone an idea of how strong a team can be. Now a little more on the opponent. These days when most of us think of Pac-12 football, we think of Stanford and Oregon. Arizona State wants to get in the conversation, and there is reason to believe it can happen. Here is a little nugget of knowledge for you ― name a player who last season recorded 23.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. One is Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina. My guess is you have heard of him. Another player with the exact same stats is Will Sutton of Arizona State. Unlike Clowney, Sutton does not have an ESPN highlight that ran for eight straight months. However, Sutton was the 2012 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. On Saturday night, keep an eye on No. 90. Offensively, Arizona State can push the pace, led by quarterback Taylor Kelly, who last year set a school record by completing 67 percent of his passes for more than 3,000 yards. He also ran it for more than 500. Make no mistake, this team will run the ball. It averaged more than 200 yards per game on the ground last fall. Of course, so did the Badgers, and their three-headed attack of James White, Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement will provide Arizona State with an interesting challenge. There is plenty we do not know for sure about either team. But we do know on Saturday night, it will be hot and it will be loud. And it will be fun to see how the Badgers handle their first road trip of the season.